Get Our Newsletter

Review: Defcon’s Habby Horse

After a major spate of envy after reading Nick’s review of Defcon’s Habby Horse, I jumped at the opportunity to pick up a jar of my own. I have a love of horseradish rivaling my love of hot sauce, and the though of the Creator’s demented mingling of those two burns was something that I’ve been eagerly anticipating since I first caught wind that such a project was in the works, many months ago.

The Habby Horse arrived at my doorstep nestled amid bottles of Defcon 1, 2 and 3, in an old fashioned canning jar. I could almost smell the vapors through the jar.

In my feverish rush to break open the Habby Horse, I thoroughly destroyed the handwritten message from the Creator, and instead got a healthy dose of silver marker all over my hands. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a picture until after I tore into it. Oh, well, this baby was meant to be an eater and not a collector.

On First Taste
I took my first taste of Habby Horse on a cracker, half expecting combustion to occur in my nasal cavities. Instead, I found a mellow, pleasant horseradish burn that was up front, clean, and crisp. Initially surprised at the mellowness, I quickly got a heavy punch in the back of the throat that took me by surprise, courtesy of the habaneros. The heat came on quickly and intensely, lighting a nice sized blaze all the way down my throat that I could feel clean into my stomach. It kept a healthy burn going for several minutes. Habby Horse won’t ignite your nose hair, but the burn sure won’t leave you lacking for burn. The flavor is great, a perfect blend of freshly ground horseradish and quality habanero flavor.

On Food
Habby Horse practically begs for a good steak. Fortunately, I had just the thing on hand – a half a Delmonico steak left over from my anniversary dinner at the Capitol Grille in Troy the day before. If only I’d had this stuff in time for the first go round!

The Habby Horse was quite simply perfect. It’s hands down the best horseradish sauce I’ve ever had. With the level of anticipation I had coming into this trial, I seriously risked disappointment simply by expectation. Instead, Defcon’s Habby Horse exceeded all my elevated expectations. Creator, please, please bring this to market!!! I won’t have this jar for long.

Conclusion:
Defcon’s Habby Horse is a truly exceptional product. With good fresh horseradish taste and habanero burn to spare, it’s a must try for any horseradish lover. Even though the burn is significant, I would actually love to see even more heat – mixing this with a vial of Defcon Zero would be even better.

Thanks for the good words man, we here at DEFCON HQ always appreciate them. I am amazed at the response we’ve gotten regarding this new endeavor. One thing I have noticed is people want more of the horseradish burn. We purposely toned it down a bit, so as to more emphasize the habanero, so be it, we’ll just have to tweak it a bit, so as to scorch the ‘ol nose hairs next time around. The habaneros aren’t your standard dires either. They have been distilled once, so as to break down the cellular walls of the vegetable. We have found it melds with the horseradish faster and more thoroughly, hence the “salmon” color of the stuff.

That being said, I would expect we will begin a limited production run sometime this summer. It’s our first “non-sauce” product, so it’s kind of different from what we’re used to doing. I thank everyone for the good responses. Hmmmmm, a Habby-Horse ZERO…Now THAT would be something!

“Creator, please, please bring this to market!!! I won’t have this jar for long.”

I totally agree John.

” I would expect we will begin a limited production run sometime this summer. It’s our first “non-sauce” product, so it’s kind of different from what we’re used to doing. I thank everyone for the good responses.”

Excellent news Creator!
Make more Habby Horse.
John and I need some, huvason wont, he will just save it 🙄

[Comment ID #41013 Quote]
Hey Chris, got some decent news for ya. We are currently looking into the Cabela’s BBQ Challenge on 8/18-8/19 in Hamburg, PA. We’re deciding whether or not to set up. The time’s are tight as we have a bunch of stuff going on the weekend before and after.

Also, we are working on another DEFCON Day, at the good ‘ol Alley again, they’re dying to have us back. We’re tentatively looking at 7/22/06, but nothing is written in stone yet. Yup, another wing eating contest. Looks like I’ll have to spice ’em up a little more.

Man the peer pressure is killing me! LOL – I am actually planning on opening it this weekend at my Daughters BBQ. You’ll be there to try it with me – right Chris 😉 Mrs Huvason sent you a PERSONAL blog invite…… 😀

Man, ya know, I might have to cut off The Huvason from future Habby Horse. I think he is looking to hoard it, and attempt to corner the market. Perhaps I will have to activate the Homunculi within his floorboards, perhaps I can get them to send his jar back to me, so someone can enjoy the contents.

I’m glad to hear it made it across The Pond, ENJOY IT, unlike others who just stare at it (hint…The Huvason). What I would suggest is put it in the fridge for a little while, it tends to be a little more flavorful when it’s chilled a little bit.

Thanks for the advice Creator. My fridge went home on sat tho so I’d have to put it in the communal one. Sum1 mite steal my habby!! I don’t think so. lol. I got them the other day with my 3am’d tomato ketchup. Their faces were hilarious!!

Yes, how do you get one to try…..Creator I looked on your site and was unable to find it. I’ve seen alot of talk here and the review sounds great, is this something you are going to make available soon to the rest of us- the hungry masses? 😕

I was at Green Dragon last Friday (near Lancaster, its a farmers market) and found a stand thtat has homemade horseradish as well. Didnt buy any, but I know where it is. Could be the same guy cause a place in Intercourse smokes his meat for him.

I dont remember his name either and the stuff he was selling wasnt even labelled. Well in masking tape with horseradish written on it.
I could send him your way, for some labels, but I think the internet is not something he uses 🙂

Well, it isn’t available in mass quantity yet. I only made 8 of them, and the deal was you had to buy a Defcon Collection to get one. It was a freebie I threw in. I will have another small batch made up soon, trust me. We are looking into getting this mass produced, but it does take a little time. The jars I’m giving away are personally hand-grated by me, so there’s a personal touch.

[Comment ID #41179 Quote]
No. Mad’s situation is completely different. At least The Huvason has a choice. He just enjoys imprisoning others. Trust me, his days are being counted by his floorboard associates.

Great review and comments! I have a few thoughts on the subject. My family have been hand grating our own horseradish for about 100 years. The patch that we currently pick from is over 150 years old and was brought over from Europe. When we pick it in the spring we cut the top of the root off and replant it in the patch. We harvest the left side of the patch one year and the right the year after. Needles to say, it is the best horseradish I have ever had. However, the Creator has come with a unique idea and I can’t wait to try it!!!
1. What would happen if one were to add wasabi powder to the freshly grated horseradish?? Would that not increase the Horsey burn???

2. We have found that apple cider vinegar and sugar increases the potency of the coarse ground horseradish, maybe that would help increase the potency.

Anyway, just trying to help!!! Can’t wait to try this Habby Horseradish.

That’s awesome Cheffy, I would love to have my own root to use, but alas, I have a completely black hand of death when it comes to growing stuff. As stated in the e-mail I sent you, it seemed people liked it, but were expecting more of a nasal scorch. Well, proving once again the Creator’s boundless empathy, I have retooled it a bit, and now instead of a nasal scorch, the root burn is now close to a 5 second olfactory carbon fire. I will have another batch ready in about a week, 12 jars in all. First come, first serve. Now I will probably send most of these to people who haven’t received one, so as to increase the test market.

These will not be numbered, under decree of The Createss. And once again, to get a jar of this stuff, order a DEFCON Collection, mainly to cover our costs, and the jar will mysteriously appear in the box with the other 3 bottles. I’ll send out the e-mail once they are available.

Oh, and don’t forget, in about another week and a half, the 16-ounce monster bottles of Defense Condition #2 will be available, 200 in all.

DEFCON DAY ALERT!
Yup, another DEFCON Day has been slated!
Here we go again, another DEFCON Day is coming up on Saturday, July 22, once again at what is becoming our HQ, The Alley, in Berkeley Heights, NJ. I’ve been told we are getting our Coors Light Acolyte girl, Christie, back for this one. For those of you who never met her, she’s a trip!

We’ll be doing the standard, free wings all day long, DEFCON actionwear and sauce raffles, and of course, another WING EATING CONTEST!!! The prize has yet to be determined, but I can guarantee you, it’ll be something good! Those of you who weren’t able to make it to the last one, you saw the pics on the blog. If you are anywhere close to NJ, I’d suggest making it for this go around. It has become a cult hit, and Hell, who doesn’t want the best Damn wings of 2006 for free?